Soaring Gas Prices Lower Consumer Restaurant Spending
Higher gasoline prices have reduced consumer discretionary spending, forcing major restaurant chains to lower sales expectations for coming quarters.
- Wingstop reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter as soaring gasoline prices forced customers to cut back on spending.
- Global oil supply disruptions tied to geopolitical conflict drove average U.S. gasoline prices to $4.43, compressing household budgets and reducing discretionary spending.
- Wingstop CEO Michael Skipworth said the macro environment is "extremely difficult" to predict, prompting many restaurant chains to maintain cautious outlooks for the year.
- Chipotle bucked the broader trend, posting better-than-expected same-store sales growth of 0.5% while other chains faced headwinds.
- Beginning in February, the disruption has brought the worst-ever impact, with analysts expecting high pump prices to squeeze consumer budgets throughout the remainder of the year.
11 Articles
11 Articles
The Billings Gazette
High gas prices curb restaurant spending
Several U.S. restaurant chains, including Wingstop and Domino's, reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending.
Soaring gas prices lower consumer restaurant spending
Several U.S. restaurant chains, including Wingstop and Domino's, reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending.
U.S. restaurant sales drop as Iran war pushes gasoline prices higher
NEW YORK, NY (May 6, 2026) — Several U.S. restaurant chains including Wingstop and Domino’s reported weaker-than-expected sales growth in the latest quarter, saying that soaring gasoline prices caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran have forced their customers to cut back on other spending. Many don’t expect consumers to feel relief anytime soon. Analysts expect other restaurant chains also will show declining sales growth in upcoming earnings i…
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